Building the Skyline

The Birth and Growth of Manhattan's Skyscrapers

Jason M. Barr

For the first time, covers the economic history of the Manhattan skyline from 1626 to the present

Presents a unique window into the economics of skyscrapers and demonstrates that fundamentally the skyscraper is a solution to an economic problem: how to accommodate as many people as possible on the same location on planet earth.

Uses economic theory, statistical analysis, and historical research to understand the emergence and formation of the Manhattan skyline

Presents new data sets never before analyzed or used to study the skyline or Manhattan's history

Debunks myths such as the influence of bedrock on the shape of the skyline, the unaffordability of tenement rent prices, and more

Building the Skyline

The Birth and Growth of Manhattan's Skyscrapers

Jason M. Barr

Description

The Manhattan skyline is one of the great wonders of the modern world. In Building the Skyline, Jason Barr chronicles the history of the Manhattan skyscrapers and provides insights into the economic forces that have created its distinctive and iconic panorama. Bedrock is Manhattan's natural and geological history, which influenced early land use and the development of neighborhoods, including the dense tenement neighborhoods of Five Points and the Lower East Side. Barr sheds light on why skyscrapers emerged downtown and why they appeared three miles to the north in midtown--but not in between the two areas-and debunks myths that geology was the cause. Rather, the patterns of skyscraper construction reflected economic and demographic forces at the time, which in turn influenced subsequent developments. As the first rigorous investigation of innovative ways to accommodate as many people as possible on the same location, Building the Skyline is an important contribution to understanding the growth and life of cities.

Building the Skyline

The Birth and Growth of Manhattan's Skyscrapers

Jason M. Barr

Author Information

Jason M. Barr is a Professor at Rutgers University-Newark in the Department of Economics. His research interests include urban economics, and agent-based computational economics.

Building the Skyline

The Birth and Growth of Manhattan's Skyscrapers

Jason M. Barr

Reviews and Awards

Architectural Record Recommended 2017 Summer Reading

"A deeply informed, literate account of the skyscaper's role in New York City history. Barr is a leading scholar in the economics of skyscrapers, and he turns out to be an outstanding storyteller as well. A towering achievement!" -- Donald Davis, Ragnar Nurkse Professor of Economics, Chairman, Department of Economics, Columbia University

"This beautifully written and impressively researched economic history of tall buildings in Manhattan will beguile the reader. It punctures long-held myths and explains such puzzles as why there are no skyscrapers between downtown and midtown, which buildings are taller than they should be, why we are now building skyscrapers for residents and not corporate offices, and why New Yorkers no longer seek to build the tallest building in the world. Ranging from Manhattan's earliest days to the present, it concludes with some thought-provoking recommendations for the future." -- John Mollenkopf, Distinguished Professor, Political Science and Sociology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York

"Skyscraper economist, Jason Barr, takes the reader on a captivating historical journey from the European settlement of Manhattan to the rise of the present day NYC skyline. Along the way, we learn the answers to fascinating questions concerning the role of bedrock in forming the skyline; the timing, formation, and growth of midtown; the use of tenements during periods of intense immigration; and the changing value of Manhattan real estate over time. Building the Skyline is essential reading for anyone interested in NYC real estate history and the rise of the Manhattan skyline." -- Troy Tassier, Department of Economics, Fordham University

"Given the magnitude of the project, I doubt anyone will find the courage to take on such a massive undertaking anytime soon. For that reason alone this book is an instant classic." -- SkyHigh.City

Building the Skyline

The Birth and Growth of Manhattan's Skyscrapers

Jason M. Barr

From Our Blog

New York City is the midst of a housing affordability crisis. Over the last decade, average rents have climbed 15% while the income of renters has increased only 2%. The city's renaissance since the 1990's has drawn thousands of new residents; today, the population of 8.5 million people is the highest it has ever been. But New Yorkers are finding that the benefits of city living are not without its costs. The demand for housing has outstripped the real estate community's ability to supply it; as a result, prices have been rising.